Maggie The Road Maggot

North and East, 12 to 17 April 2010

12 April 2010

Have decided to go "north and east" seeing as that's where the weather is meant to be the best. Odometer reading 276713kms, the 1831kms since our last blog entry were done by the Brinsdon family, who borrowed Maggie over Easter to go to the Marlborough Sounds for a family reunion. Left home at 13:51, 19°C and overcast. Mike finished his trading run at lunch time, so hence the somewhat "late" departure. First stop, "over the hill". Did some shopping in Cromwell and then stopped for a smoke etc. at Lions Creek. Now 15:00 and moving again, and it looks like it could be a slow trip over the Lindis, as while we were having our break we saw lots and lots of slowcoach campervans heading in the same direction, and it's also blowing a stiff NW - typical, dead calm all morning and as soon as we get Maggie out the wind starts to blow - and always a head wind, to boot!

Got to Wilderness Reserve at Lake Aviemore at 16:28. Nice enough to be able to stay outside for quite a while. And while sitting outside Marielle decided we needed some company - called out for the ducks and the next thing you know, there's about 10 of them come from different directions.

So felt that we had to feed them, so got out the crusts of the fresh loaf of bread. Thoroughly confused JD who just couldn't figure out why he wasn't getting any!!

Once it cooled down we moved inside and played a couple of hands or Euchre. Didn't eat any tea as we had bought some cocktail saveloys from Cromwell New World and ate them all - so too full to have any tea! Bed around 10-ish.

13 April 2010

Up at 08:00, 10.5°C and dead calm. Had a bad night because JD kept waking us up - he seemed to have forgotten about how things work on Maggie and seemed to be "lost" and not able to get off the back seat. So he lay there and whimpered and cried. when we turned on the light and showed him the front, he seemed to have forgotten that he could go through the curtain - so walked backwards and forwards between back and front. The result was that he cried and whimpered off and on all night! Anyway, tried fishing for a while - Marielle on the fly, Mike spinning, but no luck. Had bacon, eggs, mushies etc for brunch at 11:15 and then had showers.

Now 12:15 and the NW wind got up about 10 minutes ago and now howling. 16.5°C now.

Moved Maggie into the shelter of the trees and then went for a walk to check out the rest of the camp - we are the only ones here at the moment - and discovered a really cool walk that goes along the lake, all the way to the boat harbour. Took us just over an hour, and warm enough to take jackets off. And in amongst the trees are hundreds and hundreds of toadstools! Got back just before it started to rain, so perfectly timed. Kept up the light rain until 19:30, wind also went and now only 11°C. Spent afternoon relaxing with books, puzzles and sleeps. Had chicken honey soy for tea and an early night - in bed at 21:10!!

14 April 2010

And the result of an early night is that you're up early too - too early at 05:46!!! 9°C and clear and starry. Had muesli for breakfast and now 09:10 and contemplating what to do today - do need some supplies (milk, ice) and also need to go and get something for JD as his neck has flared up again something wicked and he needs it washed as he smells! Dumped on the way out and headed to Kurow. Now 10:55 and have got some shampoo and conditioner for JD (oatmeal and aloe vera, hopeful that will help stop his itch - poor bugger!) Had a pie from the Bakery - Mike's steak and kidney was good, but Marielle's mince pie was simply put revolting! Then checked out the angler's access down Old Slip Road - but nowhere flat to park and no easy access to the river either,so carried on.

12:06, at Waihao Downs, beside the start to the Waihao Walkway. Lovely little stream, but signs saying don't swim in it as it is polluted! And it's another area with some amazing limestone formations around the place. Washed JD's neck and had mushie soup, left there at 12:35 to go to ???? Checked out the Moa Dig site at Kapua - only a sign to see, telling you where in the paddock they found moa bones. then on to Waimate - walked round but decided it is just a dingy little hicksville town! So not staying round here, and therefore on to last possible place to park for the night round here, Waihao Box. On the coast, and got there at 14:20. Quite unusual, 'cause we had wondered why it was called Waihao Box. turns out the river has no natural mouth, and the box was built (original one in 1910) to stop the gravel closing off the river mouth.

Sun came out and not too bad a spot at all really. Mike had a nana nap while Marielle did puzzles and played with the dogs. 14.5°C at 15:30, so not too bad weather wise. Saw some people arrive at dusk to give their jetboat a run - seems the people in the car were not at all happy to talk to Mike - just typical Maori grunts, so we locked everything down for the night! Had pork and fresh corn for tea, watched TV and hit the pit at 22:30.

15 April 2010

Up at 07:10, 11°C and stiff southerly blowing but sun coming up - no clouds at the moment. 09:37 - had muesli and showers and now off. 11:04 - just taken dogs for a walk along Caroline Bay. Beautiful day: full on sun and despite a wee southerly a pleasant 14.5°C. 12:16 - have been to SuperCheap Auto to buy some chequer plate for Maggie. The house sides just behind the cab are getting dinged by stones, and because it's fibreglass the dings aren't that easy to fix, so Mike decided to put chequerplate down them to stop it getting worse. Haven't been able to find it 'til now. And then the fish shop beside SuperCheap opened while we were there - and they were selling Bluff Oysters. So we had a dozen cooked oysters and chips for lunch - YUM!! Expensive ($29, which is still cheaper than at home!) but worth it. Ate them beside Caroline Bay. Now heading north to fill up at the Washdyke Truckstop (277058kms, 46L). And there was also water there, so decided to top up - and the connection blew loose, soaking Marielle from the knees down. Mike thought that was hilarious, and I have to admit, it was funny! Thank god for having a change of clothes on board! Carried on and went exploring down roads that lead to the beach - Browns Beach (nice beach, nowhere to park though), Milford Huts (a definite duelling banjo type of place - lots of fishing huts; a whole community of them, beside a lagoon. There was somewhere to park but it just didn't spin our wheels!)

So on to Orari River Mouth - good parking, good beach and sheltered from wind behind the dune.

Got there at 14:04. Marielle took dogs for a walk along the beach -

found another lagoon further down which was absolutely chokka full of birds.

Then sat and read 'til beer o'clock. Watched the news and Coro Street and got the gennie in just before it started to rain. Also turned Maggie around, as the wind had got up and was making it a battle to get in and out - the house door just blew out of your hands! And the rain kept coming - in heavy squalls. Still raining and 11°C at 21:30 when we went to bed.

16 April 2010

Up at 06:38 - heavy rain a couple of times during the night - very heavy at one stage and it sounded like hail. Now not a cloud in the sky but only 2.5°C. 08:30 - have taken dogs for a walk along the beach - ok going, but into cold southerly wind coming back that was enough to bring tears to your eyes. Mike not impressed at having to walk that early, or in those temperatures because the wind made what is now 7°C feel much, much colder! 09:20 - ready to move - have to start heading home at some stage as Mike starts his shift run on Monday. 11:08 - had Macca's (mighty Angus burgers) at Caroline Bay and now topping up with diesel (277163, 14.03L) to get us all the way home (cheaper at truckstops, and there's no other ones between here and home!)

12:55 - thought we might stop beside Lake Opuha for the rest of the day - trouble is, there's pretty much no water and so no lake as such to park beside!! Absolutely amazing - we stopped here on the way back from Blenheim in January (on the other side of the lake from where these pictures are taken) and the lake was full.

So much water has been used for irrigation that there is no shore - just a massive drop off. the boat ramp is certainly of no use whatsoever at the moment! Shame, because it's a beautiful spot, and the weather was perfect too! But we didn't think there was much point parking on a dry lake bed miles away from water, so on to Twizel. And it was a slow trip - too many slow tourists around, so lots of "let the dogs have a run" stops. Got some milk and some ice, and called into the pub to have a jug before heading off to Ohau C. Ran into Debbie Cain there - sort of confused us as you just don't expect to see a familiar face in Twizel, but turned out she was there for a funeral. Got to one of our old favourite spots at 16:10. Beautiful weather here - no wind, full on sun. Only about 11°C though, so not warm enough to sit outside, but still lovely. Had Mike's delish meatballs and spaghetti for tea. Had enough left over to have for lunch tomorrow, but JD had other ideas. Marielle had put the leftovers to one side while she did the dishes, and left it sitting there when she went out to have a smoke - and when she came back on board it was just in time to see JD gulp the last meatball down - and try his very best to look like he hadn't - like, there was no way he was actually going to lick his lips and get rid of the spaghetti stuck to them, not while he was pretending it wasn't him! Anyway, that was 6 meatballs gone! Went to bed at 22:10.

17 April 2010

Up at 07:15, 4°C and overcast (which is probably just as well, because last night it was clear and feeling and looking like it was going to be below zero). Weather not improving enough to make us want to stay, so at 09:54 we headed home. Quick trip through the Lindis, home at 12:33. 277525kms - so that's another 812kms done in Maggie.

Sailor's Cutting and Queenstown, 26 to 29 March 2010

26 March 2010

274400kms, 23°C. 14:31 - just done some shopping at 4 Square, and now off to join Max at Sailor's Cutting. Finally, after months and months of trying, the lads have got a weekend off at the same time - Mike finished night's this morning! Filled up in Alexandra (274411, 52L). Got to Sailor's Cutting at 17:10, Max there already with beer in hand, waiting for us. Found a sheltered spot (bit of a NW blowing) and settled down for a good catch up and a few beers. Max went and had a fish while Mike and I chilled, and then Max cooked dinner (steak and coleslaw on Turkish buns). We went to bed at 22:30, after sitting outside all evening - nice and warm and no wind where we were.

27 March 2010

Up at 08:00 - very warm night and now already 17.5°C but overcast. Blew quite strongly off and on all night - weather forecast is for a southerly change today, but so far so good. Max and Mike went for a fish - Max caught nice rainbow and Mike caught a "big" chocolate fish! Moved round to another spot at 14:00 as the wind had changed to the south, as predicted, and a bitterly cold one at that. Having said that, once we'd moved the sun actually came out and once again we sat outside and yarned and drank. The temperature did start to drop though, and warmer clothes were donned in ever increasing layers (Marielle ending up with gloves, woolly hat, slippers and merino!).

While still outside we here loudish Irish music coming from Kevin and Aileen's campsite (we'd talked to them earlier in the day while Max was launching his "penguin-flipper" kayak) so we grabbed our drinks and went to join them. Had a good yarn but did feel a tad sorry for them as they were just finishing cooking tea when they arrived -

and by the time we left it was well and truly munted! Max did invite them over to have green curry with us - but Kevin declined as he couldn't stand the stuff (thank heavens, 'cause there was no way we would have had enough to feed 5!). Ate tea inside - too cold out tonight. When we went to bed at 22:30 it was only 6.5°C! Brrr - just a wee bit colder than last night - LOL.

28 March 2010

Up at 08:15 - a massive sleep-in for us!!! And a good sleep too. Max took his kayak out and Mike and I went round to the boat harbour to have a fish - us ZERO, Max a beautiful 3.5lb brown trout. Bitterly cold wind, but no rain, so that's good. Now 11:20 and only 9°C. We are going to head off to Queenstown today - Maggie needs the (final) glo-plug controller fitted (now that the problem's been sorted we can get the jury-rigger one out and finally get a new, fully working one installed). 12:47, 274562kms, 10.5°C - going to dump and the off. 14:29 - just had lunch at Lion's Creek beside Lake Dunstan, 14°C and sunny - very welcome warmth. Had ham sandwich. 15:53 - stopped in Cromwell for supplies, now just getting water in Queenstown and then off to surprise Kirsty - she has no idea we're on our way!.

16:29 - we have Benny on board and are heading off to 12 Mile Delta - Kirsty is following us to join us for a beer and tea.

Lovely and warm out of the wind (by using Maggie as a wind shelter) so we sat outside until the sun dropped, when it instantaneously got cold, so inside for tea - pork honey soy stir fry. Beautiful moon rise tonight! Kirsty left after tea - we did dishes and hit the pit (21:30).

29 March 2010

Beautiful sunrise - up at 07:40 - 8°C. Left camp at 09:22. 10:58 - Maggie all fixed, had Burger King for breakfast and now off to Cromwell to empty, fill gas bottle and then into Alexandra to fill with diesel so she's all full for Boyd and family to take to the Marlborough Sounds. Filled gas bottle with 2.3kg, and at 274781kms filled with 67L diesel. Home at 13:30 - 274881kms.

Close to home, 19 to 21 March 2010

19 March 2010
274251kms, 13:45, 15.5°C and not a cloud in the the sky. Off to Alexandra so that Mike can get his tooth fixed before heading off to Poolburn for the weekend. 15:08 - leaving Alex, with extra supplies on board. Mike stopped at The Fridge to get some pepperoni (I'd forgotten to pack it, vital ingredient for breakfast!) and we ended up buying some delicious smoked mussels, and yummy herb and garlic mussels. So seafood feast for tea tonight, as I spent this morning making seafood chowder to bring with us. 16:35 - at Poolburn, after stopping for a jug at Blacks. Glorious afternoon - no wind, warm and just perfect. Threw some worms in and pretty much sat and watched them whilst enjoying the weather and environment. No fish, but lovely afternoon nonetheless. Had tea and bed at 21:30.

20 March 2010
Up at 07:40 (which, after Mike being on mornings all this week, felt like a decent sleep-in!) and 10°C. Had brekkie - bacon, eggs, mushrooms and pepperoni) and showers. Seeing as there are still no fish, and Mike's lost a couple of rigs getting snagged, and it's still bloody cold (11°C), trying to rain and windy we have decided to go down the hill - it's supposed to be 25°C down below and this is just too miserable. And sure enough, definitely warmer in the valley. Stopped at 2nd Galloway thinking we might stay the night there, but decided against it for 2 reasons: 1) pretty much no water in the river and 2) it sticks like a cow paddock - YUCK! (Too much dairy farming upstream?!?!?) So headed home, thinking we'd have a quick read of the paper and we'd then decide where, if anywhere, we were going. We had just unlocked the door and rolled a smoke when Pete Glover arrived on his bike, so sat and talked to him for a couple of hours - warm outside, so when he left we decided we'd go to just above Jackson's for the night. Got there at 15:33. Bit of a NW wind blowing, but not too bad and still nice and warm right through the evening. Just relaxed for rest of day, did put some worms in amongst the massive weed bed that has now formed in the little bay - but only thing we caught was weed! Wind did get up for a while, but dropped right back at dusk. Played cards and had left-overs for tea before going to bed at 21:30. Marielle read for a while - big mistake, because when I went to turn the light off, I realised that hundreds and hundreds of little sandfly (not bitey ones, thank god!) type creatures had come in through the mesh - and around the light was just black! Sprayed them, and had a good night's sleep!

21 March 2010
Up at 07:40 - 13°C, calm and cloudy. Headed home at 08:50 and got home at 09:04 - 274399kms. No photo's this trip - we have heaps of Poolburn and we've been to Jackson's before, so no point in doubling everything up!

Lake Aviemore, Tsunamis and Surgery, 25 February to 4 March 2010

25 February 2010

273429kms, 11:36, 22 °C and partly cloudy. Off to Alexandra to get diesel and supplies, then off to go and park at the bay above the Aviemore Dam which we found last time we were over there with the boat. 273439kms, 61.47L diesel. Stopped at the Otematata Pub (at 14:45) to let the weather go through (we didn't get any, but there's been the odd shower through here so we're waiting to see which way it goes before the final decision as to where to park). At around 16:30-ish we decided it looked ok to carry on to our chosen spot. Found the gate, down the hill and bugger, there a whole campsite of people already there. So drove the other way down to the other side of the bay and found a beautiful spot. Trouble is, by the time we had levelled Maggie and rolled a smoke, the wind turned to a screaming southerly - straight into where we'd parked. So back to Wildlife Reserve, to shelter from the southerly and we'll decide if we move anywhere else, depending on the weather, in the morning. Got to Wildlife Reserve, and about 6 motorhomes and 5th wheelers parked there, so on to one of the first spots where we ever stayed - pretty much where the 1st gennie we had refused to go.

All parked up at 17:30, and no sooner had we set up (now at least out of wind) than the heavens opened up - very heavy rain - hopefully it'll blow through quickly. Drizzled off and on all evening with the occasional downpour - and even had some thunder but didn't see any lightening! Had Mike's lemon chicken with cucumber/tomato/avocado salsa for tea (which was yummy!) and went to bed at 22:15.

26 February 2010

Up at 06:15 - dead calm and not a cloud in the sky! 9°C so not super warm, but it certainly looks like it's going to be a good day. Tried a fish but the sandflies, even though not bitey ones, were too thick and annoying so gave up on that idea. Ended up being a glorious day - fished, read, relaxed - the usual!!

Although, not quite usual, as Mike got his lure stuck on the other side of the stream running past and rescued it in a most unusual way: we had packed the inflatable boat we bought years and years ago and haven't used certainly since we've had the boat, thinking that if it got really hot we could play on the water. Well, Mike inflated it to use it to go and rescue his lure! Great fun and very funny to watch! Had lovely day - warm but not too hot, and thoroughly relaxed. Sat outside 'til 19:00 and then had steak and corn for tea before hitting the pit at 21:30.

27 February 2010

Up at 07:30 after a good sleep! Looks like it's going to be another beautiful day! Chilled, spoke to people from caravan opposite us who loved JD and Roxie (of course!) and now 11:48, moving onwards to dump etc and then find next spot. 13:39 - at Fisherman's Bend, a bit downstream from our normal spot as that was taken. And probably just as well, as it is HOT and this spot has shade whereas our "normal" spot doesn't! Met some Kurow locals and joined them for a while. Mike offered to go spotting for them on their jetboat and ended up going for a ski - despite a toe that has been very sore for last couple of days!

Did him the world of good - the cold water must have fixed the toe! By the time they got back it was 20:00 - we did all wonder if the boat had broken down, as they were well out of sight and hearing, but they had spent a lot of time trying to teach a newbie to waterski, and then when Mike had a go, he pretty much lost his undies (he didn't have any togs on!) and also broke the ski rope, which curtailed their fun. Sat and talked for a while longer and the came home, had pork and corn for tea and hit the pit at who knows what time LOL! Oh, the Kurow gang told us that when they left to come down to the lake at around 5pm-ish it was 30.5°C.

28 February 2010

Up at around 07:15 - not too cold, but got quite breezy during the night and now overcast. Decided last night too, that we would go to Dunedin tomorrow and, if we can still get tickets, go to see Strassman's "Goodbye Ted E Bear" show. So rang Dunedin Holiday Park - dogs not a problem - so we'll probably stay there Tuesday and Wednesday nights as well - closer than Warrington and easier what with having to go for pre-admission on Tuesday and then surgery on Wednesday. 10:05 - moving back towards Benmore as Mike reckoned the sun was out over Benmore, just not here. Ok, it's 17.5°C so not too bad, but we want SUN. 13:15 - just had Chinese for lunch and done some shopping at Oamaru New World - when we got to Otematata it was windy and cloudy so we decided to head towards the coast - despite this morning's tsunami warning, caused by a massive 8.8 quake in Chile.

Walked round the historic precinct in nice balmy weather until the southerly arrived here too and dropped the temp by 3 degrees in as many minutes!

Now 15:00 and parked at the Wainakaruapre-bedtime routine.

1 March 2010

Up at 07:30 - overcast but warm. Signs of there having been another surge during the night as more rubbish had been moved around. Took dogs for a walk and now 08:40 and going to have another coffee, showers and breakfast before heading off. 10:17 - rolling. 10:45 - Oamaru (again!) filling with some diesel (273857kms, 18:03L). We came back to Oamaru because yesterday we had spotted a bus that we decided last night would be worth checking out - turned out it wasn't as it had over 950,000kms on the clock! Oh well, we've got all day to get to Dunedin. Went to have lunch at Fleur's Place in Moeraki but they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays (yep, that's our luck!) but had a beautiful tuatua and mussel soup from the mobile restaurant in the carpark - beautiful! Sat on the seats outside Fleur's Place and the sun even came out - most pleasant. And now heading towards Dunedin and the grey, ominous looking weather! 15:00 All set up at Dunedin Holiday Park, after getting tickets to go and see Strassman tonight. Load of washing on the go and took dogs for walk along the beach, just before the rain arrived - good timing! Caught the bus (yep, first time in about 10 years on a bus - and it was cool too!) into town and saw the show - which was ok, but nothing spectacular, and then had dinner at the Ra Bar - which was really good. Also met up with Dave, who was at Lake Aviemore the weekend we met up with Robin and Brent and had the impromptu party. Caught taxi back (didn't want to wait around for 3/4 of an hour for next bus) and climbed into bed at around 23:30.

2 March 2010

Up at 07:15 - beautiful sunny morning! Took dogs for long walk along beach - JD just loves the sand and runs around yapping and barking and sniffing and having a ball, while Roxie ran her little butt off chasing seagulls! Then off to the Hospital for the pre-admission consult. We spent the rest of the day checking out buses - got some ideas, but will stick with Maggie in the meantime. Also tried to source a 30W solar panel that we can just plug in and move around, but no luck there. Then we decided to go to the top end of South Dunedin and do a pub crawl home, seeing as Marielle certainly wouldn't be in the mood to do anything much tomorrow night! Caught the bus there, and back - and the one coming back wasn't actually going to the Holiday Park, but he kindly stopped just beside an intersection so we could walk down the road to home! Had pork steaks, fresh Oamaru peas and corn for tea. Can't remember what time we got to bed!

3 March 2010

Up at 06:50, for surgery at 09:30. Got home at around 14:30-ish and spent rest of day lounging and recovering.

4 March 2010

Up at around 07:00 after not too bad a night - although poor old Mike did get a bit cold as he had decided to sleep across the back rather than worry about bumping into Marielle. In to the Hospital to have them check the dressing and then off home - they told us yesterday that we would have to go home rather than carry on travelling as the District Nurse had to come and change the dressing.
Got home at 14:00, 274251kms. 822kms done this trip - a lot of it just running in and out of Dunedin! Oh, should also mentioned that the Dunedin Holiday Park was not a bad place to park for 3 nights - they were extremely helpful and very considerate in leaving the space beside us empty so the dogs could have somewhere to hang out - only one night did we have someone beside us, and she loved dogs and came and joined us for a drink.

Lake Aviemore, 11 to 14 February 2010

11 February 2010

09:59, 16°C and getting sunny. 273093kms on the clock (the difference between last trip and this one is several trips to Hansen's in Queenstown to get the glo-plug controller fixed - turned out it wasn't the controller at all, it was No. 1 plug, which kept blowing the controller. If Armstrong Prestige had actually done the job right the first time, we wouldn't have had several trips to QT and back, and wouldn't have blown any controllers!). Anyway, we are off over the hill somewhere - weather forecast is changeable, but nothing too bad (we hope!). Mike and JD are in the truck towing the boat over and Kirsty, Benny, Roxie and I are in Maggie. We stopped at The Stables and at Dalrachney to let the dogs have a piddle etc, and for us to have a stretch and a smoke. Got to Omarama and had lunch (left overs from yesterday: chicken wings, pork and cucumber salsa) parked beside the Omarama Pub while we waited for Mike who had been into Alexandra first for some supplies. Mike filled up the boat with petrol and went and caught up with Neville whilst Kirsty and I carried on to Lake Aviemore. Only 15°C in Omarama, but warmed up as we travelled along. Got to the "Wildlife" campsite at 13:02 (273247kms) - beautiful sunny day. All set up by 14:00.

Launched the boat and went to explore the lake, just as the southerly arrived. Got very bumpy in the channel - wind against current makes for some decent chop! Gave up doing too much exploring as it was just a bit too bumpy for most on board (well actually, everyone except Mike!). So back to camp for everyone except Mike, who decided he'd go and play in the rough. He arrived back not long afterwards complaining of a headache because it really is rough out there!.

While Mike was out Kirsty and I sat and did puzzles and just enjoyed the relaxing place and the warm weather. Oh, and Mike has a replacement chair (other one broke last time!) and Marielle has a new chair - long back and super comfy! Sat outside until it became a tad too chilly even with having changed into jeans and socks. Had steak, corn (cooked on the bbq, seeing as we had extra room to bring stuff with us!) and new spuds for tea and went to bed at 22:30.

12 February 2010
Up at 08:20 after a restless night with 3 dogs not sorting out their shit about who was sleeping where! Rained during the night and cooler in the morning, but it got warmer and sunnier as the day progressed.

Took boat out and went all the way down to Aviemore Dam - beautiful scenery and we hadn't realised just how wide the lake becomes in the middle. It is a lake where you need to have your wits about you though - some very shallow areas and a few obstacles around the place (like trees and rocks just below the surface, depending on how full the lake is!) but a cool trip nonetheless. Found another really lovely potential camping spot just upstream of the dam. Got back and sat and enjoyed lovely weather. Met up with Robin and Brent, who have a big old bus and rocked up so we invited them to join us for a beer. Had chicken (bbq) and salad for tea and hit the pit at 22:30.

13 February 2010

Up at 08:00 - better night as far as dogs were concerned (although Benny did wake Mike and I up with a huge fright as we thought he was about to be sick - inside!). Raining but not cold when we got up, and then it started to occasionally pour down, followed by fine spells. Thought we'd have to pack up and head home, but by the time we'd had coffees and done some household stuff (emptying the toilet) it cleared up and became a sunny, warm day. Heaps of people around - Robin and Brent had a whole crew of people arrive with boats, kayaks, kids, dogs - so we left the boat on the trailer and watched them have mad fun in their biscuits - especially when the wind got up and the rollers arrived. We pretty much spent the day reading, relaxing, puzzling and the occasional bit of fishing by Mike - nothing biting though. Moved inside at 20:00 because the sun went and it became markedly cooler and watched Mike get his famous and delish meatballs ready. While sitting there Brent arrived to invite us over to their bus for a few drinks - and a party. Whole crew of people still there. Had a great time, but Mike and I left Kirsty to it at about 23:00, to cook some tea. Kirsty joined us for food and then headed off to the party bus again. Oh yes, no flat battery on Maggie this trip - just a flat battery on the truck this morning! Too much music all day and evening yesterday! Got to do something about the continuous shortage of power - a solar panel is the next purchase, me thinks! We ran the generator today because we had low battery light come on when we started up the water heating at the same time as the fridge was running. Mike and I went to bed at around 11:40, Kirsty sometime after 01:00.

14 February 2010

Another lovely morning and it's time to pack up and go home. Kirsty not at all keen to get out of bed, let alone travel home! Left camp at 09:37, this time just Roxie and I in Maggie, the rest in the truck. Stopped at TarrasAviemore

Dunedin, 20 to 22 January 2010

20 January 2010
272079kms, 11:54, 24°C and very cloudy and muggy. Off to Dunedin for 2 reasons: 1) Marielle has appointment at Dunedin Hospital and 2) Maggie has appointment at Armstrong Prestige for a full service and to fix the glo-plug problem. Filled in Alexandra 272089kms: 50.14L. Had fish and chips for lunch at Galloway beside the Manu - caught up with JJ who was fishing! 13:14 - rolling. 15:23, in Palmerston (stopped at usual spot along the Pig Root for a smoke and a stretch!) Now only 14.5°C! Could see the sea fog as we were coming into Palmerston, and now very overcast and dark. Went into Karitane to see if there was anywhere there to park up - no - so carried on along the "scenic" route towards Dunedin - nothing much to see though due to the very thick fog! 16:00 - all set up at the Warrington Domain in a lovely balmy 13°C!!

Took the dogs for a walk along the beach and it started to rain as soon as we left Maggie. Rained off and on for rest of the evening, and the fog came in even lower. Had marinated lamb, fresh beans and new spuds (all veggies home grown!) for tea and went to bed at 21:40. Did 198kms today.

21 January 2010
Up at 07:00 after not such a good night - for some reason, neither of us slept well. Not cold - 13°C, but very foggy and damp. 08:15 ready to move on to Dunedin. 12:19: 18°C and sunny! The forecast was awful for Dunedin today - it was meant to rain all day - but instead, it's beautiful. In town too early, so had BK for breakfast! Too warm to have jackets with us as we walked round town after the Hospital appointment! Maggie has been serviced and number 2 plug has been replaced (it had shorted out) but we need to stay in Dunedin area tonight as the glo-plug controller had also shorted, and the new one won't be here until the morning. While we were walking around we came across an upholsterer, so now having new squabs made for the back seats - they were just too soft and always felt like we were sitting on wood! Also filled the gas as we thought it must be getting low - orange flame last night and we can't remember the last time we filled it - but not necessary as it was actually still half full - only took 4.5kgs. Then off to Kaikorai Valley takeaways to get spring rolls for lunch and combination chow mein for tea tonight - the joys of being in a big city! Took our lunch out to Whare Flat, thinking we'd park up there for the night. But the whole area is now Scouting Otago and no access!

On way there we saw massive clouds building up inland - quite spectacular. The forecast had said there might be heavy, thundery showers inland, and these clouds sure looked like they'd bring a dumping somewhere. Anyway, nowhere to park at Whare Flat, so ate our springrolls (YUM) and on to Outram Glen. Yep, lovely spot alright - so lovely every man and his family and dogs were there - so many people that the road into the place was so full of cars we couldn't get through. So much for that idea.

17:03 - at Longbeach and just taken the dogs for a walk - stunning spot, but once again, very foggy! Explored the caves and checked out where the ladder used to be attached to the cliff face so that you could get to the beach from Purakanui. The whole reserve at Longbeach is now "no camping" - as one local said, it would be ok for people like us, but it's to keep the hoons and bottlethrowers out - a shame, as it would have been a great place to park. So now no other option but to go back to Warrington Domain! 17:40 - all set up. And with nowhere else to go, we have done 163kms today only to end up exactly where we started! Amazing how the kilometers just tick away. Still foggy and 14°C. The fog did disappear for about 2 minutes, giving us hope that it would clear altogether, but unfortunately it kept rolling back in again - and did this several times. Had wonderful chinese for tea and hit the pit at 22:30. Oh, the new squabs are very firm, but infinitely more comfortable than the old ones - a good buy!

22 January 2010

Marielle up at 06:30 - fine, still and overcast morning after occasional heavy rain during the night. Had a good sleep, Mike even slept in 'til 08:00! Dumped at the Domain and headed off into Dunedin at 08:28. 09:48 - have spent the last 3/4's of an hour at Armstrong Prestige while they try to get the glo-plug controller to work - and it won't! Mercedes have sent down a dud unit, so the glo-plug light is still on. Not happy, because it means that we are going to have to do another 400km trip to have a new one fitted and also, we could have gone home last night! 11:00 - have had breakfast at the Everyday Gourment - beautiful eggs benedict for Marielle and an ok mixed grill for Mike and now filling at BP Truckstop (272485kms, 56L). Continuous drizzle and a miserable day here with only 13°C so we are going home! Arrived home at 14:10, 272685kms (595.4kms for this trip) to a much warmer and drier place. And it has rained heavily round here - there was water in Black Jacks Creek, which is normally dry this time of the year - so the dumping of rain inland did happen!

Blenheim & Back, 4 to 14 January 2010

Monday 4 January 2010

269998kms, 11:22, 18°C. Off to take Angie to Blenheim on her birthday! Starting to rain, but stopped almost immediately. Filled up with 40L of diesel in Alexandra (270008kms). 13:38 – at Ohau C. We stopped for lunch at The Stables – had 1.5 bags of fresh peas between the 3 of us (and some for the dogs) YUM!!

Also stopped and had a stretch beside the Ahuriri River just out of Omarama. A long, slow trip – we had all forgotten that today is the last public holiday, and as a result every man and his dog was on the road. Now starting to rain. But the squall went through quickly and we ended up sitting outside in nice warm sunshine, sheltered beautifully from the wind – another good spot chosen by Mike, as it’s not our usual spot as there is a caravan parked there.

We sat and talked ‘til it got colder and moved inside. But before we did, JD bought us a present – a freshly caught baby rabbit. He’s not that old and slow then!! Ate tea of stir-fry chicken on salad and hit the pit at 22:30.

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Up at 06:30, sunny, calm and 11°C. Muesli for breakfast, rolling at 08:22.09:46 – have been to the High Country Salmon Farm and Angie got sashimi and cold smoked salmon for lunch – YUM, can’t wait!! Also been into Twizel and got some more supplies, dumped, filled etc. and now moving. Still sunny and calm and starting to warm up – YAY. Stopped at the Painted Rocks to show them to Angie, but due to the enormous amounts of rain the lower South Island has had recently, the water level is too high and the rocks underwater – bugger.

Stopped at Bowler’s Stream for lunch – soooo delicious and left there at 13:46, to find somewhere to park for the night. Oh, and it’s warm: 22°C and 27°C in the sun. Oh, Mayfield Caltex is no longer a truck stop – we stopped there thinking we’d fill up before we know for sure there isn’t any, and they no longer accept truckstop cards. Bugger, another cheap diesel option gone. Got to Taylor’s Stream – nice area, but a few people there, so we thought we’d try and find somewhere else. Went to see what Sharplin Falls was all about – have driven past a few times now – but basically it’s a carpark (that was absolutely chokka) for a 45 minute walk to the Falls. So no good for overnighting.

So back to Taylor’s and parked up at 14:38. Beautiful warm afternoon, too warm to sit in the sun for a while later on – even for the Perthite amongst us! Roxie was delighted that there was a stream, and even though we played with her for quite a while she kept wanting to go back. She was totally obsessed with diving for rocks – never seen her go to such trouble and so deep in running water! Sat and talked and enjoyed the warmth, and when we had all had enough of that we all had showers. Pork Korma for tea, bed at 22:30. 270435kms to here.

Wednesday 6 January 2010

Up at 06:45 to find, to our dismay, that the sun has gone! 12°C though so not too cold. Were underway at 08:26 and got to Rangiora at 10:12. We had breakfast (muesli) parked on one of the main roads of Rangiora, as we had to go shopping for togs (Mike and I both forgot ours, despite having already thought we may go to Hanmer Springs if the weather up the Coast wasn’t good – well, it isn’t goo up the West Coast, so we had decided before we left we would go up the middle – but still forgot the togs!!). After a very successful shopping trip – Marielle bought a 2 piece swimsuit but it was only rung up as one item, so a $40 discount! – we dumped etc. and then drove round and round, and round, and round – trying to find a Caltex, Mobil or BP. None to be seen, until at the last minute we spotted the Mobil station – pretty much right beside where we’d been parked for breakfast!! And not a moment too soon – we were literally out of diesel – put 80L into her (270557kms). 12:29, finally on our way again. Got to Balmoral Forest Park (50kms short of Hanmer) at +14:00, after battling very strong NW winds and stopping in Amberley for lunch (Mike’s famous sandwiches).

Decided to stop here because we know that there is nowhere in Hanmer to park and we will go for a dip in the thermal pools tomorrow before we carry on. Initially parked in a reasonably sheltered spot (from the wind) but it was right beside the road. Not the main road and we thought it was a quiet, little used country road – and it was – until we were all set up with chairs etc. outside, and then the traffic started.

So Mike went for a walk and found the perfect spot – sheltered from the wind, sunny, hidden from everyone else – AWESOME. Took the dogs down to the river, but it was very high and fast, and there was no beach area anywhere other than the one occupied by a family with kids, so walked back to Maggie and sat outside and talked. Also did a wee bit of washing. Bed at 22:00 after a tea of Chinese bbq sauce stir-fry beef, fresh corn and fresh peas! 270623kms.

Thursday 7 January 2010

going to Hanmer. 12:02 – been and had a couple of hours soaking in the thermal pools – lovely! Now going to dump and have lunch by the River at the Hanmer River Reserve – partly cloudy/sunny and a balmy 25.5°C.

12:56 – lunch done (Mike’s yummy sandwiches) and now rolling towards Kaikoura via new territory – the inland route from Culverden, through Rotherham and out at Kaikoura. Not a road we will do again – very slow as there are so many really sharp corners and lots of ups and downs. Still, have to admit, the scenery was quite spectacular in places but this route has another major drawback – although it is part of the Alpine Pacific Scenic Route, there is nowhere to stop. So consequently no photo’s until we got to Conway River, as we spotted a track down to the River there. But not one rest area along the way. Shame.

15:40 – at beach just north of the Hapuku River. Not the greatest spot – too many other people around, too many surfie dudes with vicious looking and sounding dogs – but getting too late in day to go anywhere else. There were another couple of options, but they were not on the beach, and we really wanted to be beside the sea – mountains to ocean in one day. Still 25°C but getting cloudier and despite a stiff off-shore wind along the straits getting here, there is now a stiffening on-shore breeze. Sat outside ‘til 17:45 when breeze got too hard and cold. Had fresh crayfish for tea!!! Oh, what a trip this is, food wise we are in heaven! 270821kms to here.

Friday 8 January 2010

Up at 06:30 after a very restless night due to the trains – 4 of them, every 2 hours, right behind us! Didn’t realise this track was so busy at night. But, a beautiful morning – lovely to sit on beach with your morning coffee and not get cold or blown away! Now 08:10, 20°C and rolling. 10:15 – have been and dumped etc in Blenheim, now off to get stuff for Dad’s 80th (well, the repeat celebration – neither Angie nor I were there in October, so we had decided we would do it all again!) and to do some shopping. We took one of the photo’s that Mike had taken of the two of us in to a photo shop in town, had it cropped, enlarged and framed, to give that to Dad.

We took the dogs for a walk in Pollard Park and then decorated Maggie just before we got to Dad and Anne’s place – arrived just after 13:00. And boy, did we blow Dad away – he was speechless. We pulled up outside their place and honked the horn until he came out – and he was in tears – so cool! Spent rest of day talking, catching up, having Anne’s famous cooking and enjoying family time. 270946kms.

Saturday 9 January 2010

Up at 06:30 - 11°C. Took dogs for a walk and then had coffee etc with everyone else. 09:40 – tearful goodbyes and now off to dump/fill and then to Springs Junction, where we will decided whether we go home via the east or west coast – weather forecast not good either way as there is heavy rain forecast on the west coast, and snow and cold on the east?!?!? Filled up at the Blenheim Truckstop (54.1L, 270950kms) and then had McDonalds for breakfast – a McMuffin each and a hash brown (bad but good!) at Pollard Park; now 10:40 and on our way.

11:58 Stopped at Lake Argyll for a smoke and a stretch – nice spot, but very cold wind blowing and only 12°C. 13:19 – checked out Lake Rotoroa – very confined and very busy and boy, do they have some sandflies here!

There was a group of people having bbq lunch right by the lake – and we couldn’t smell their food, only Bushmans! Absolutely beautiful lake though.

13:40 set up beside the outlet river of Lake Rotoroa, just out of the township. We decided not to go any further because we could do with a quiet “rest” day – Mike feeling the effects of 2 not such good night’s sleep - and also, we know there is nowhere from here ‘til either the POP at Murchison (not keen on that idea) or back to Hanmer – too far – as the West Coast doesn’t look like it will be a go.

The weather over there is still meant to get awful, and judging by the number of campers on the road coming from the west, we suspect that it’ll just be too crowded for us. 271110kms, and still only 12°C when we pulled up. And from then on we had to use the truck thermometer, as the house thermometer broke when we deployed it! Sat inside and read (Mike) and did puzzles (Marielle). The weather outside was ok, but boy they breed hungry sandflies here, and lots of them! Had chicken, fresh corn and salad for tea and hit the pillows at 22:00 after a nice relaxing afternoon.

Sunday 10 January 2010

Up at 06:30 – cloudy but not raining (yet?) Had good and much needed sleep. 9°C. 9:03 – had showers and muesli and tidied up (id, did the vacuuming!). Started to rain at about 07:30 and now drizzling. Off to Murchison now to dump etc. 09:34 – arrived at Murchison, dumped toilet at Mobil and the rest at the POP – very handy and convenient, you can get rid of everything, including rubbish, in one spot, and fill up water too. But boy, did we get some snobby looks! Must be because we don’t have our “wings” permanently attached and only sit them in the windows when we need to. 10:42 – on way again, have had intermittent rain since we got here, some quite heavy. 12:04 – having sandwich and mushroom soup at Springs Junction. Only 8°C and absolutely bucketing down. The whole place is awash with at least an inch of water – even the dogs were not keen to stay outside any longer than they had to! And the short time they took

to do their business resulted in everything and everyone being soaked. Dogs completely wet, like they’d been for a swim, and out wet weather gear dripping bucketloads. 13:48 – at Hanmer River Bridge Reserve. Rained heavily all the way through the Lewis Pass – incredible amounts of rain, and only 5°C to go with it. Brrr! And so this is summer? Came across a bad car crash on the Hanmer side of the Lewis Pass – car on its side, another one with tarps over it – not nice. And standing at the Reserve (just stopped raining) having a smoke, poor Mike got stung by a bee, so off into Hanmer to get some anti-histamine. Oh, and we also discovered that during torrential rain we appear to have a leak at the back window and the back vent. Which is pretty amazing when you consider we have never noticed this, not even when cleaning Maggie with a waterblaster. Shows how bad the rain was! Sun now trying to come out – and very welcome it would be too, as it is still only 10.5°C. No pharmacy that we could find in Hanmer, so got some cream from the 4 Square instead. And very, very windy in Hanmer – big branches all over the road, and when Mike got out, the wind just about tore the door out of his hands (we know from Maggie’s Maui log that this has happened before, and it wrecked the mirror). So lucky he managed to hang on! Put 21.15L diesel in at the Caltex station in Hanmer because we’re not sure where next fill might be, but I forgot to write down the mileage. Now 14:52 and on the way to Balmoral Forest Park for the night. Stopped at Culverden as we realised they had a truckstop, so put another 39.59L in (271362kms).

15:14, all set up at Balmoral 271375kms. Biggest day distance wise so far! No sandflies and sun – YAY!! Sat outside with all the covers, mats, coats, umbrella and dogs to dry it all out. Wind changed, so we moved Maggie a metre or so at 90° to where we initially parked, to protect us from what is now becoming a chilly southerly. And it’s starting to rain – just lightly though. Mike had great fun on the rope swing beside us for a little while - until it started to hurt in an unmentionable place!!

Had steak and alfredo pasta for tea, bed at 21:30, by which time the temperature had dropped to 9°C (was about 17°C for a while there this afternoon, but obviously felt warmer sitting in the sun and sheltered from the wind.).

Monday 11 January 2010

Up at 06:30, 7°C and light rain. 08:16 ready to roll and warming up to 9.5°C. And as we cleared the trees we could see the mountains – with a good dump of fresh snow on them!

10:00 – had breakfast at Amberley Beach – lovely spot, sunny and warm. Off to the chemist now because Mike’s arm is huge from fingers to ½ way to his elbow.

10:40 on way to Rangiora and onwards – Mike has ice on his arm and a line drawn on it by the pharmacist, so as to monitor the swelling. He has taken an antihistamine tablet and the swelling is now supposed to not progress. 11:59 – Just stopped in Cust at the Reserve for a stretch and a smoke – been through a shower of rain and now only 11.5°C (was 16°C at Amberley Beach)! God, we are so over this so-called summer weather! 12:40 – set up beside a fast and dirty Waimakariri River, under the bridge area in the gravel. Not the nicest spot (in fact, so nice (not!) that we didn’t even take a picture) but Mike needs to rest his arm with ice, so decided to call it quits for today. Had sun for 2 minutes but the next lot of rain is coming in any time now. 271497kms. Mike relaxed and iced his arm and slept, I sat and did puzzles and occasionally took the dogs outside between cold southerly squalls. Temperature at 17:00 is 13.5°C, so not as bad as we’ve had, but feels much colder when squall goes through. 21:48 – have had tea of pork steak and, yes, you’ve guess it – fresh corn – AGAIN. Can’t help ourselves, nothing beats super fresh corn, except maybe super fresh peas! Now waiting for ice on Mike’s arm to work and stop the swelling, as it’s just carrying on getting bigger. Have drawn another line on his arm, swelling now ¾ the way to his elbow. If it hasn’t gone down in the morning we will turn around and go back to Rangiora to find a doctor. Raining and cold, so now going to hit the pit.

Tuesday 12 January 2010

Up at 07:30 (sleep-in) on Marielle’s 50th birthday! Had occasionally heavy rain during the night, which woke us up. 8.5°C and overcast. Got text message not long after getting up – I was outside feeding the dogs and Mike said I had received a text. Silly bugger, he so made me laugh, ‘cause it was from him! Sent me a text message because he didn’t have a card – tell you what, the text message was way better than any card, it so made me laugh and what a great way to start your birthday! 09:13 – have had showers, muesli and now back to Oxford to dump as there is no dump station the way we think we might go, so better to backtrack 10kms. After that we will head off further south, hoping that the weather forecast is right (supposed to clear) and wrong (strong southwesterlies, which means head winds!).

10:46 stopped just before the Rakaia Gorge and the sun is out!! 11:20 – at Ashburton New World – Mike’s taking me out for lunch – at McDonalds!! 271624kms. 12:50 – Believe it or not, lunch was great – McDonalds now have the Prime Angus Beef pattie, and it was yum. In fact, without a doubt the best

McDonald’s we have ever had. Shopped for supplies at New World and then stopped again at Village RV and checked out some buses. Nice to look, but way out of our league. Now on the road to Arundel to check out the River Bridge Reserve, which is, as we had been told, a lovely spot. Did think about staying but decided to keep moving as we really do need to start getting a bit closer to home. So on to Lake Opuha. 14:46 – drove round Geraldine trying to find water for a little while, no luck so we decided we’d have enough for tonight anyway – only need it for coffees in the morning and dishes.

Now at Lake Opuha and YAY, it’s 19°C and sunny and gorgeous. What a beautiful spot – last time we were here it was cloud down to ground level and raining, so what a surprise it is to see the mountains behind the lake – really picturesque. 271726kms.

Sat outside enjoying the sun and playing in the water with Roxie until the wind got up and the sun disappeared behind a huge big cloud.
Tea was chicken and fresh corn (YUP, again!) and into bed at 21:40.

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Up at 07:35 and foggy, foggy 9.5°C. Nothing to be seen. And poor Mike’s having a bad trip home – his foot was a bit niggly yesterday, and now it is full-blown pain. Sore around the Achilles tendon again, just like last year, so it looks like I will be driving today. Left Opuha at 08:40 and filled up at the Caltex Truckstop in Fairlie (54.16L, 271740kms). Went into Fairlie and bought anti-inflammatories for Mike (they worked last year!) Had breakfast (Mike’s famous omelette) at the turn-off to Mt Dobson ski area and now heading off to Twizel for water. 12:30 – at our favourite spot below Ohau C. Stopped in Twizel for water, chips and icecream. 271859kms. In between light showers we sat outside, but not summer weather by any means. To be fair, it’s a lot warmer here than the last few days – 20.5°C, but cloudy. Read in the ODT that the weather has been miserable round here for last weeks or so, so I guess we can’t complain too much. Now 20:40 and cooking tea. Mike’s foot no better, despite drugs. We’re a bit of a pharmacy, this trip home!! Tea tonight green curry pork and yep, wait for it: fresh corn!!! Bed at 22:20.

Thursday 14 January 2010

Up at 07:40. Ready to go at 08:25, but not going anywhere, as the truck battery is dead! Too much beer cooling, radio and watching TV last night. So out came house battery, jump started the truck off that – and problem. The glo-plug light now won’t go out. So headed back to Twizel to find auto-electrician, none there so no choice but to carry on, after dumping and then on to salmon farm to by tonight’s tea (sashimi and cold smoked salmon, of course!).

11:09 – just outside of Tarras and WELCOME HOME – it’s blowing a fierce southerly (head wind) and 12°C and raining!!! Never seen the Lake so white in a southerly. Home just after midday. Final odometer reading 272035kms – so that’s another 2027.3kms under Maggie’s belt! All in all, not a bad trip – certainly the way to Blenheim was great, the return trip not so. And that’s it – we are not doing another long-distance trip for at least 18 months. We seriously prefer driving a couple of hours, parking up and staying put for a few days. This driving everyday is great to get somewhere, but not very relaxing!